HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has appointed the former business management officer at the Department of Human Services as deputy director at the Department of Budget and Finance. Ken Kitamura will support Budget and Finance Director Laurel Johnston in assuring compliance with the director’s primary roles and responsibilities as manager of the state’s financial resources. He will also oversee the day-to-day management of department operations.

Prior to DHS, Kitamura was the administrative services officer and business manager at the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. In addition, he served as business services officer for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and was associate auditor, program budget analyst, budget supervisor, special projects manager, and legislative aide at the Hawai‘i State Legislature.

“Mr. Kitamura brings with him a well-developed administrative skill set in budget preparation, execution, and fiscal management. We are very fortunate that he agreed to serve our department and our state,” said Johnston.